Demons happy to be home after 4-game road trip

Northwestern State will embrace alumni this weekend as the Demons celebrate homecoming, but the football team feels Saturday's 6 p.m. game against Incarnate Word is a different type of homecoming.

NSU hasn't a played a game in Turpin Stadium since a season-opening loss to Missouri State (34-27) on Aug. 28.

Four road games, five weeks and 43 days later, the Demons (2-3, 0-1 Southland Conference) will compete in front of a friendly crowd against the Cardinals (1-5, 1-2).

"It's a sigh of relief almost," linebacker Tyler Roussel said in an NSU video interview. "The travel, it's been non-stop.

"It was starting to wear us out a little. It's a great feeling to be back home in front of fans, alumni and students."

The Demons went 2-2 on its road trip, knocking off Louisiana Tech and Southern while losing to Baylor and Southeastern.

NSU coach Jay Thomas said he and his staff will enjoy playing a game without any of the travel hassles.

"There is a lot involved. It's like moving a small army across states," Thomas said. "Getting on and off the bus, making sure we get there early enough to settle in and get your legs underneath you.

"The travel part takes a lot of out you. But it didn't have a big effect on how we played. Our staff planned out the trips well, and we gave ourselves the best chance to be fresh as we could be."

Roussel prepared to be fresh for the Southeastern game this past week after suffering what was initially feared as a season-ending injury against Louisiana Tech.

The Demons' comeback fell short 30-22 against now No. 9 Southeastern, but the NSU defense held a high-powered Southeastern offense to just 235 yards.

"It was a big game because it was almost like a home game, and I live not too far from Hammond," said Roussel, a LaPlace native. "I had to do extra work to get back into shape, and the athletic staff did a lot to help me get back."

Junior receiver/returner Ed Eagan continues to be the Demons leading pass catcher with 27 catches for 302 yards with two touchdowns, and he would like to make those plays in front of a home crowd Saturday.

"It feels good to be back," Eagan said. "We've been away for so long, and traveling a lot is very tiring. It feels good to be able to rest and relax at home."

The last time NSU played four straight road games occurred because of 9/11 in 2001, winning at TCU to start that swing. The 1988

"Road Warriors" played five on the road consecutively, including FCS playoff games at Boise State and Idaho.

NSU No. 25 in power rankings: The Demons came in at No. 25 in the College Football Power Ranking Composite for FCS teams, which uses a variety of independent power rankings and other statistics to evaluate teams. Southland Conference members No. 10 McNeese State and No. 17 Southeastern lead the league. Incarnate word ranks No. 112 out of 124 FCS teams.